Used car guide

2020 BMW 5 Series: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the BMW 5 Series first registered in 2020: we looked at the 4,064 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,064MOTs of 2020 cars, done in 2025
88%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
9,100typical miles a year
23%had tyres flagged

Common 2020 BMW 5 Series MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 BMW 5 Series MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    23% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    6% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    4% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    3% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2020 BMW 5 Series

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • EGR and particulate filter problems (diesel)

    Diesel

    Diesels came last of 20 executive cars in What Car?'s survey, with costly EGR valve and DPF faults and repeat dealer visits. There were also EGR cooler and coolant recalls for fire risk.

    At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to check the VIN for recalls, and watch for warning lights.

    Source: What Car?: used BMW 5 Series (2017-2023) reliability

  • Ten recalls

    All engines

    Recalls also covered the brake pedal switch, curtain airbags, the steering gear, a balance shaft bearing, 48-volt battery cables, rear driveshafts and plug-in hybrid batteries.

    At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to confirm every recall has been done.

    Source: What Car?: used BMW 5 Series (2017-2023) reliability

  • Electrical and sensor faults

    All engines

    Most petrol faults are electrical, including faulty sensors, persistent warning lights and infotainment faults.

    At the viewing: Test every button and screen, and look for warning lights.

    Source: What Car?: used BMW 5 Series (2017-2023) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 BMW 5 Series

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Have the EGR recalls been done, and has it had any EGR or DPF work?
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW 5 Series?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the BMW 5 Series compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023313Tyres 15%
20222,222Tyres 24%
20211,817Tyres 21%
201915,159Tyres 24%
201818,470Tyres 25%
201713,069Tyres 24%
2016–Too few tests
2015–Too few tests
2014206Tyres 24%
20135,675Tyres 30%
20125,661Tyres 30%
20111,011Tyres 30%
2010591Suspension 30%
2009619Suspension 39%
2008685Suspension 38%
2007736Suspension 45%
2006623Suspension 46%
2005300Suspension 44%
2004215Suspension 53%
2003168Suspension 46%
2002149Brakes 40%
2001105Suspension 44%
2000–Too few tests
1999–Too few tests
1998–Too few tests
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests
1994–Too few tests
1993–Too few tests
1992–Too few tests
1991–Too few tests
1990–Too few tests
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests
1982–Too few tests
1981–Too few tests
1980–Too few tests
1979–Too few tests
1978–Too few tests
1975–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of BMW 5 Series cars first registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score